Orbi RBR20 Backhaul Ethernet/Switch

[ptrondsen29]

Hello All, I'm having a problem with my Netgear Orbi.

Here's the setup Netgear RBR20, with 2 satellites.

I'm using the router with FIOS, and not using using a FIOS modem, direct ethernet from the ONT to the Netgear Orbi router.

One satellite is just connected over WIFI, and then the second one is connected via a 50 foot ethernet cable into my office.

This worked fine for a while and suddenly stopped working.

I tried using an ethernet switch, connected to the satellite and that stopped working too.

I took the satellite off of ethernet, and just connected the switch, and after a while stopped working as well.

So, basically, running a 50 foot ethernet cable to my office only works with one device, when I add additional devices, either through a satellite or ethernet switch, the internet comes to a crashing halt after a while.

Any configuration changes would be helpful, is this an issue with NAT filtering??

Thanks,
Pete

[FURRYe38 · Accepted solution]

CAT6 would be recommended and to use ALL cat6 cabling. 

IF the connection works with out the switch then seem to have problems with the switch, then the switch would be a cause of the problem. I see this model switch has green ethernet features, (Energy Efficient Ethernet) 802.3az standard. Something that causes problems with Orbi Systems. 

[FURRYe38]

Does the FIOS modem have a built in router? If so, This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop
https://kb.netgear.com/26765/Disabled-Features-on-the-Router-when-set-to-AP-Mode

What Firmware version is currently loaded on the Orbi?

What is the Mfr and model# of the ethernet switch in the configuration?

How the RBS should be connected to the RBR if a switch is used:
https://kb.netgear.com/000051205/What-is-Ethernet-backhaul-and-how-do-I-set-it-up-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-Sy...

[ptrondsen29]

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@FURRYe38 The FIOS Modem has been removed and returned to FIOS, I am going straight from the ONT to WAN port of the Orbi.

Orbi has the latest firmware, V2.5.1.16

The Ethernet switch, is Linksys LGS105, non managed switch.

Thanks,

Pete

@FURRYe38 wrote:

Does the FIOS modem have a built in router? If so, This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop
https://kb.netgear.com/26765/Disabled-Features-on-the-Router-when-set-to-AP-Mode

What Firmware version is currently loaded on the Orbi?

What is the Mfr and model# of the ethernet switch in the configuration?

How the RBS should be connected to the RBR if a switch is used:
https://kb.netgear.com/000051205/What-is-Ethernet-backhaul-and-how-do-I-set-it-up-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-Sy...

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[FURRYe38]

Can you remove the switch from the mix to see if the RBS will connect directly behind the RBR? 

Be sure to disable Daisy Chain on the RBR before hand. 

[ptrondsen29]

Yes, that's what I've done and the 50 foot Ethernet cable works fine with one computer.

Someone told me to get a cable that's backwards compatible with CAT5e. the one I have is CAT6.

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@FURRYe38 wrote:

Can you remove the switch from the mix to see if the RBS will connect directly behind the RBR? 

Be sure to disable Daisy Chain on the RBR before hand. 

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[FURRYe38 · Accepted solution]

CAT6 would be recommended and to use ALL cat6 cabling. 

IF the connection works with out the switch then seem to have problems with the switch, then the switch would be a cause of the problem. I see this model switch has green ethernet features, (Energy Efficient Ethernet) 802.3az standard. Something that causes problems with Orbi Systems. 

[ptrondsen29]

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@FURRYe38 wrote:

CAT6 would be recommended and to use ALL cat6 cabling. 

IF the connection works with out the switch then seem to have problems with the switch, then the switch would be a cause of the problem. I see this model switch has green ethernet features, (Energy Efficient Ethernet) 802.3az standard. Something that causes problems with Orbi Systems. 

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Okay, I wasn't sure if it was a green switch, I have a couple other Linksys switches, which seem to have the same issue,

I'll try a netgear, non-green switch.

Thanks,

Pete

[FURRYe38]

[Mstrbig]

My setup is modem/ONT (non router) to Orbi router to switch to 2 Orbi satellites, as well as several wired devices. One satellite has a switch connected to it with several wired devices connected. All is working, so since you say a PC connected to the cable is fine, I suspect the switch. FYI my switches are simple Netgear ProSafe GB switches. 

[ptrondsen29]

So, the issue pretty much came down to the switches I was using use "Green Ethernet".

(Green Ethernet is a common name for a set of features that is designed to be environmentally friendly, and to reduce the power consumption of a device)

So, I went to purchase a Netgear switch and the specs also mentioned "Green Ethernet", so I put down a little more money and purchased a managed Netgear Ethernet Switch (GS108Tv3), this switch allows me to enable or disabled Green Ethernet, as well as a slew of other features. So, far day 3 and no issues.

Thanks, everyone for your help and feedback.

[Mstrbig]

For those needing to add network switches to their Orbi system, for hard wired devices in homes or offices, and don't need smart or green features, the Netgear ProSafe Gigabit switches are fast, reasonable, come in all sizes and work perfect as plug and play. You literally just plug them into your Orbi router or satellite and wire your devices to them. And the Netgear quality is a plus, backed by a lifetime warranty.

[FURRYe38]

Glad you found a switch that you can disable Green Ethernet. Thank for posing the model # of the switch as well. Will keep this in mind when making recommendations. 

Other non NG switches that work are D-Link DGS-105/108 Rev C or prior. New Revs have green ethernet from what I'm told. 

Also HP ProCurve 1400 and 1800 series switches work with Orbi.

Enjoy. 

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@ptrondsen29 wrote:

So, the issue pretty much came down to the switches I was using use "Green Ethernet".

(Green Ethernet is a common name for a set of features that is designed to be environmentally friendly, and to reduce the power consumption of a device)

So, I went to purchase a Netgear switch and the specs also mentioned "Green Ethernet", so I put down a little more money and purchased a managed Netgear Ethernet Switch (GS108Tv3), this switch allows me to enable or disabled Green Ethernet, as well as a slew of other features. So, far day 3 and no issues.

Thanks, everyone for your help and feedback.

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